Berkshire, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Berkshire, New York
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 Berkshire, New York
Location in New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Tioga |
| Town | 1808 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Town Board |
| Area | |
| • Total | 30.23 sq mi (78.28 km2) |
| • Land | 30.22 sq mi (78.26 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,033 ft (315 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,485  |
| • Estimate
(2016)
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1,474 |
| • Density | 44.58/sq mi (17.21/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
13736
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| Area code(s) | 607 |
| FIPS code | 36-06145 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0978726 |
| Website | http://www.berkshireny.net/town-government.html |
Berkshire is a small town in Tioga County, New York, United States. In 2020, about 1,485 people lived there. The town gets its name from Berkshire County in Massachusetts.
The Town of Berkshire is located in the northeastern part of Tioga County. It is northwest of Binghamton and southeast of Ithaca.
Contents
History of Berkshire
Early Days and Settlements
In 1786, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts gained the right to buy Native American lands in this area. This was part of a deal called the Boston Ten Townships. Even though Massachusetts could buy the land, New York still had the power to govern it. In 1788, Massachusetts sold these land rights to private individuals.
The first settlers arrived in the area around 1791. They called their new home "Browns Settlement."
Becoming a Town
The Town of Berkshire was officially created in 1808. It was formed from a part of the Town of Union. At that time, Berkshire was part of Broome County.
Later, in 1822, Berkshire became part of Tioga County. Over the years, parts of Berkshire were used to create other towns. For example, the Town of Newark Valley was formed from Berkshire in 1828. Another part of Berkshire was used to create the Town of Richford in 1831.
Historic Buildings in Berkshire
Several buildings in Berkshire are very old and important. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are special places that are protected because of their history. Some of these include the Lyman P. Akins House, the Levi Ball House, and the Belcher Family Homestead and Farm.
Geography of Berkshire
Location and Size
Berkshire covers a total area of about 30.2 square miles (78.2 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with only a tiny bit being water.
The eastern border of Berkshire touches Broome County. Part of its western border is next to Tompkins County.
Main Roads
New York State Route 38 is an important highway that runs north and south through the town.
Population of Berkshire
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 1,502 | — | |
| 1830 | 1,683 | 12.1% | |
| 1840 | 956 | −43.2% | |
| 1850 | 1,049 | 9.7% | |
| 1860 | 1,151 | 9.7% | |
| 1870 | 1,240 | 7.7% | |
| 1880 | 1,304 | 5.2% | |
| 1890 | 1,160 | −11.0% | |
| 1900 | 1,011 | −12.8% | |
| 1910 | 846 | −16.3% | |
| 1920 | 805 | −4.8% | |
| 1930 | 771 | −4.2% | |
| 1940 | 861 | 11.7% | |
| 1950 | 912 | 5.9% | |
| 1960 | 953 | 4.5% | |
| 1970 | 1,098 | 15.2% | |
| 1980 | 1,335 | 21.6% | |
| 1990 | 1,303 | −2.4% | |
| 2000 | 1,366 | 4.8% | |
| 2010 | 1,412 | 3.4% | |
| 2020 | 1,485 | 5.2% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 1,474 | 4.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 1,366 people living in Berkshire. These people lived in 506 households, and 384 of those were families. The town had about 45 people per square mile.
Many households (about 30%) had children under 18 living with them. Most households (about 61%) were married couples. About 24% of households were not families.
The population included people of different ages. About 25% were under 18 years old. Around 10% were 65 years or older. The average age in the town was 38 years old.
Communities and Locations in Berkshire
Berkshire Hamlet
The main village, also called Berkshire, is in the center of the town. It's where several roads, like County Roads 8 and 10, and NY-38, meet. This area was first settled around 1795. Many historic buildings are here, such as the First Congregational Church. The entire village center is part of the Berkshire Village Historic District.
East Berkshire
East Berkshire is a small community located east of the main Berkshire village. You can find it on County Road 10. The East Berkshire United Methodist Church is a historic building in this hamlet.
Wilson Creek
Wilson Creek is another small community in the southeastern part of the town. It is named after a stream that flows nearby.
See also
In Spanish: Berkshire (Nueva York) para niños
